AS THE MAN who was the catalyst for Manchester United's re-emergence as the dominant force in English football, Eric Cantona knows what it takes to create a team capable of long-term success.

And in the current United squad, Cantona believes Sir Alex Ferguson has a collection of players who can dominate the Premiership for years to come - just as they did in the 1990s when the enigmatic Frenchman was in their ranks.

Despite the late collapse at Arsenal last weekend, which allowed Chelsea to cut United's lead at the top to six points, Cantona believes his old club remain on their way to their first title since 2003.

He is confident they have the talent and mental strength this season to emulate their feat of 1999 by completing the Treble of the Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup.

As Fergie looks to reap the rewards of a fourth great dynasty from a glittering 20 years at Old Trafford, Cantona is convinced the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will be trailing in United's wake for a long time yet.

"United can beat Chelsea in the league," said Cantona. "There is no doubt about that. They are stronger than Chelsea at the moment and will be for a long time.

"They brought in young players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson has a lot of experience helping young players. Not all managers can do that.

"United are strong, but have to prove they are a great team. They can win the Treble and they need to do it."

Although Cantona was the figurehead for United's revival in the 1990s, their sustained success beyond his departure was down to the emergence of young players such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville.

The 40-year-old influenced younger team-mates back then, and now Giggs, Scholes and Neville are mentors to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Giving young talent a chance has been one of Fergie's greatest strengths, and it is this faith in emerging prospects that Cantona believes still gives the Scot a vital edge over his rivals.

While Chelsea have struggled to adapt to the arrival of ageing Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, United flourished with their dynamic young duo of Rooney and Ronaldo. Proof, Cantona claimed, that Fergie still knows best.

"Last year United had a new team, a new generation," he said. "But I was sure they would become the best because you are always stronger when you start with a new generation as you can work with them together for a long time.

"Sometimes you need to buy players who have experience, but I think United have the balance at the moment which makes them the best team in England."

Cantona wore United's iconic No.7 shirt during his five years at Old Trafford. And he believes the current No.7, Ronaldo, is already well on his way to becoming a United legend.

Ronaldo's 13 goals have provided the inspiration for United's title charge and Cantona claimed the 21-year-old had proved his quality by the way he handled abuse from opposition fans this season.

"Ronaldo needed to gain experience and needed to score goals, and now he is a worldclass player," said Cantona. "He's one of the family. It's exactly the same with Rooney."